Causes of cataracts in children

There are a number of reasons why a child may be born with cataracts or develop them while they're still young.

However, in many cases it's not possible to determine the exact cause. Some of the main causes of childhood cataracts are described below.

Genes and genetic conditions

Cataracts present from birth (congenital cataracts) are sometimes caused by a faulty gene being passed to a child from their parents. This fault means that the lens doesn't develop properly.

It's estimated that there's a family history of congenital cataracts in around one in every five cases of the condition, and recent research suggests genetic causes are responsible for the majority of bilateral congenital cataracts in the UK.

Cataracts can also be associated with conditions caused by chromosome abnormalities, such as Down's syndrome. Chromosomes are the parts of the body's cells that carry the genes.

Infections during pregnancy

Congenital cataracts can also be caused by infections caught by the mother during pregnancy. The main infections linked to an increased risk of congenital cataracts include: